The next day dawned slowly in the citadel-gray light filtering through the high windows, turning the room cooler and more stark than it felt in the night as birds chirped outside as if they were happy, a huge contrast to what Rhea was feeling.
Rhea wakes first, as she intended. Her body felt heavy, bruised by the emotional storm of the previous hours, but her mind was already sharp again. She layed still for a long moment, listening.
Elias was still on the chaise. His breathing even and shallow. He was on his back, one arm thrown over his head with sheets draped low across his hips. Shirtless still.
Moonlight has given way to pale morning, luckily on this side of the world, the sun didn't come out much, it was always gloomy and pale making it very conducive for vampires, and in this light he looked almost mortal and beautiful in a way that felt unfair but it was clear he wasn't following his skin color, very pale and white.
The sharp planes of his face were softened by sleep, dark lashes fanning against his beautiful pale skin, lips slightly parted. For one treacherous second Rhea allowed herself to look at his gorgeousness, And hates herself for it because ugh... what a man! She slipped out of bed quietly, bare feet silent on the rug.
The white shift clung to her from the night's sweat. She crossed to the wardrobe where she finds a simple black robe, and pulled it on over the shift. She tied it and took a slow breath. When she turned around, Elias was awake and looking at her with those dreamy eyes. "What a creepy man" she thought to herself. He hadn't moved much-just opened his eyes, gray and steady, watching her from the chaise like he's been waiting for this exact moment.
He had pretended to be asleep when she woke up so she would feel shy getting out of bed. "Good morning, wife," he said, voice low and rough from disuse.
The teasing edge was already there, but softer, Infact he sounded lazy. Rhea met his gaze coldly and crossed her arms.
"Don't call me that when we're alone." "Why not? It's true... wife." This time he said the "wife" with a lot of stress. "Because it makes my skin crawl. God damnit!" She stumped her feet like a child and that amused him.
A faint smile touched his lips. He sat up slowly, muscles flexing, as the sheets looked at his waist. He made no attempt to cover himself. He didn't need to.
He knew exactly what he was doing. "You slept just fine," he observed. "Eventually."
"I was tired." She said dismissively.
"You dreamed again." that was not even a question. Rhea's jaw tightened. "None of your business Mr womanizer."
She shot back remembering how he had teased her the previous night, it made her face grow hot. He stood up as letting the sheet falls away. He was wearing only loose black trousers now, riding low on his hips.
Rhea was abit disappointed because she had been anticipating what was underneath the sheets, she wanted to look away before he stood up but she was a naught girl, so Ofcourse she didn't.
Realizing what she had been thinking, she mentally smacked herself. He walked toward her-slowly and Stopped just out of reach.
"You cried out once though," he said quietly. "Not my name this time which... made me... disappointed. Just... a sound. Like pain. Or fear and... I kind of loved it so much." Rhea's stomach twisted.
She hated that he was such a pervert. "I'm fine, leave me alone." she said flatly. "You're not." He tilted his head, studying her.
"You're angry at yourself for feeling anything at all. That's what kept you awake. Not me." She laughed. "You think you know me after one night? Huh?"
"I know what the bond does. I feel it too." His voice dropped lower.
"I feel you. Every time your heart races. Every time you clench your fists to keep from reaching for that fucking pendant around your neck. Every time you tell yourself you hate me... and your body says otherwise. Rhea, I feel it so bad, I feel when you're in need too, the feeling drives me crazy... and you're in need right now, so why not let me take you to that bed and worship your body?" He said with a strained voice.
Rhea's face had turned completely red at this point, she was in need? Well yes she found him attractive right now but she was in need?
Ugh this was so inconvenient. Rhea stepped closer, closing the distance herself this time. "Shut up vampire! You feel me huh? Then feel this," she said softly with a dangerous tone.
"I hate that I'm here. I hate that my pack traded me like a prize. I hate that your blood is in me and I can't wash it out. And I hate that when you look at me like that-like you want to devour me-it makes my pulse jump. But hate is stronger than want, Elias. And I have years of practice hating things like you." His eyes darkened.
"I get that you're angry but don't you dare call me a thing!" He said to her in a low, dangerous tone. " I don't care what you say!" She shot back.
"Shit, you're magnificent when you're angry," he murmurs. "It makes me want to kiss that defiance right out of your mouth until you're too breathless to speak or talk back at me." Rhea's breath caught. She hates that too.
"Stop it." she warned He leaned in just enough that she could feel the cool brush of his breath on her lips. "Tell me to stop and I will," he says. "Always princess."
Silence stretched between them. Rhea didn't say stop. She also didn't move forward.
Oh lord!
She wanted to but her body didn't! Her body longed to know what he would do next.
They stayed frozen like that-close enough to almost taste each other, far enough that neither could touch.
Suddenly a sharp knock shattered the moment. Elias straightened instantly as The moment got ruined. "Fuck!" He cursed under his breath clearly annoyed.
"Enter," he called. Rhea mentally snacked herself. Was she really about to give in? Gosh! A servant opened the door-young, eyes downcast.
"My lord and Lady. The werewolves representatives are gathered in the lower hall. They request your presence before they depart. And... there is word from the northern border. A small rogue sighting. Nothing serious I presume, but the council wishes to discuss."
Elias nodded once. "Get out! We'll be there shortly."